Includes bibliographical references (pages 295-319) and index

Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. -- Social Security reform of 1983. -- Defending South Korea in 1950. -- Swine flu scare of 1976. -- Mayaguez rescue of 1975. -- Carter's "hundred days" in 1977. -- Americanizing the Vietnam War in 1965.-- Soviet Brigade in Cuba, 1979. -- Starting Social Security in 1935. -- Skybolt Affair of 1962. -- Arms Control Initiative of 1977. -- Bay of Pigs in 1961. -- Johnson's advisers on Vietnam, 1965. -- "Madam Secretary" v. Mary Anderson, 1933. -- Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. -- Helmut Schmidt v. Jimmy Carter. -- Harold Macmillan on Skybolt. -- Leonid Brezhnev and colleagues. -- Henry M. Jackson in the Senate. -- Marxism-Leninism and Soviet economics. -- American images of economic growth. -- LBJ placing people. -- Central Intelligence Agency. -- Center for Disease Control. -- Social Security Administration. -- Office of Planning and Evaluation. -- Thucydides on the Athenians. -- Mini-methods in staff work. -- George C. Marshall. -- Secession, 1860-61. -- Great crash

Two professors of government analyze both political disasters and successes of recent decades to provide telling lessons on how to use history to improve decision-making. A dozen case studies are drawn in pungent detail both from the record and from backstage information gained from top officials. Sadly, the authors can safely assume a vast ignorance of history in Washington and the media. They make painfully clear that attention to particulars matters, that marginal improvement is worth seeking, and that a little thought is useful. They repeatedly spell out how to examine a situation to help decide what to do today to improve the prospect for tomorrow. An absorbing book, this would be of great benefit to those in Washington, if only they would heed it. For most libraries. Milton Meltzer, New York ON THE US ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF'S PROFESSIONAL READING LIST 2012

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